As I am writing this, it is hard to believe it has been 8 Months since I have left university and stepped foot into the professional working life. It has been a fun roller coaster experience so far as I have learned a lot whilst being at Cervello and still got a lot more learning to do.

I enjoy being part of the team and knowing that everyone plays a part in making sure that the client/ professional colleague has a memorable experience with us. I have seen myself grow in terms of confidence when handling client cases, communicating with providers and more. I can say I have settled in well.

I am grateful for the opportunities I been given here and as I mentioned, I still have a lot more to go.   

I am currently at the stage where I am preparing for my first-ever RO exam (RO1) and I am absolutely dreading it.

I thought it would have been a piece of cake… I mean, I completed university, how hard can an RO exam possibly be? I told Chris and Cassie that I would be able to have the exam done in 1-2 months maximum.

I’ve been advised not to underestimate the RO exam, that I should give it a decent amount of time to go through it and have the exams booked in when I feel ready to do so.

Once my textbook arrived, and I flicked through the pages, I was shocked at the amount needed to be learned and how small the text font was. Nevertheless, I didn’t let that get the better of me and said to myself “I’ll have it done within the time frame I set myself.”

As time went on, I must say this RO exam preparation has humbled me dearly. The reason is because I underestimated (not the RO book) the working life!

What I am trying to say is – By the time I finished a whole day of work, I find it difficult to open my textbook to study. To be honest, it is probably the last thing on my mind after a long day!

And as week and weeks went by, I started to understand what they meant by, “don’t underestimate these RO exams”. I must set myself time to go through it.

What I come to understand is, the reason it was easier to get it done whilst at university is because I was in FULL-TIME EDUCATION. Meaning I could study at whatever time of the day I would like to.

Now, I’m playing a completely different ball game. 

But I am glad to be in a company like Cervello. Even though the challenges, I am well supported in order to make sure I can learn as much as I can to be prepared for these exams. Allowing me to study during my work hours, booking adviser time off in their diary so I can have 1 on 1 session, etc. I am thankful for their support. Plus, I have great colleagues that also willing to extend their help to me should I need it.

Now, I’m on track – currently a chapter at a time preparing for my first exam next month. I will give it my 110% best to make sure I can get the first one out the way and go after the 5 remaining.

I will soon become a Qualified Chartered Financial Planner!